The honorees were selected by the approximately 100,000 active members of the Screen Actors Guild nationwide.
Forest Whitaker presented James Earl Jones with Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor, the 45th Annual Life Achievement Award, following a filmed tribute.

Honored with individual awards were Sean Penn, Meryl Streep, Heath Ledger and Kate Winslet for performances in motion pictures and Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Hugh Laurie, Sally Field, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey for performances in television. Screen Actors Guild originated awards for the outstanding performances by a motion picture cast and by television comedy and drama ensembles. The Actor® for a motion picture cast performance went this year to “Slumdog Millionaire”, while the Actors® for television comedy and drama ensemble performances went this year to “30 Rock” and “Mad Men”. Screen Actors Guild’s honors for outstanding performances by a stunt ensemble in film and television were awarded to “The Dark Knight” and “Heroes”.

Evan Rachel Wood introduced a filmed salute to performances that were “Trailblazers” either in their casting or subject matter.

PEOPLE magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) hosted the Screen Actors Guild Post-Awards Gala for 13th year. This exclusive event honors the philanthropic causes and good works of the members of the Screen Actors Guild. The gala, benefiting the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, immediately followed the SAG Awards on the back lot of the Shrine Exposition Center.